Questions and Answers from

Defend the Flock: Healthy Flocks, Healthy Family

March 3, 2022

Is there any idea how long the H5N1 outbreak will last based on previous 

outbreaks? Will the risk of Avian Influenza be reduced once the wildfowl 

migration is reduced, or will this heightened security be long-term?

Historically, HPAI outbreaks in the United States have subsided in the summer. For 

example, the final case of HPAI that was diagnosed in the very large 2015 outbreak was 

detected in June that year. We expect that the risk of wild birds transmitting HPAI to 

domestic poultry will decline when migratory birds settle down at breeding grounds in 

the summer. 

How can I find out which towns in my state have had positive outbreaks of HPAI? 

It would be great if we could sign up to be notified when HPAI is identified in our 

own location.

You can view the announcements about HPAI detections in domestic poultry and wild 

birds at this link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animaldisease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai, and sign up for email or text 

notifications of stakeholder announcements at this link: 

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new.

It would be helpful to know what the outbreaks of H5N1 in backyard flocks had in 

common. Can we identify a common link? For example, did the birds have access 

to a body of water visited by waterfowl? Or did they bring in new birds? Or visit 

wild waterfowl? In other words, has the cause been identified? This will help the 

rest of us prioritize our various biosecurity measures.

So far in this year’s HPAI outbreak in the United States, most of the owners of the 

affected backyard flocks reported that their birds had contact with wild waterfowl or 

ponds that wild waterfowl frequently visited. 
What are the signs of HPAI in our flock? How do you suggest doing AI 

surveillance on backyard flocks? What incentive is provided for owners to have 

their flocks tested?

Birds infected with the HPAI virus may show one or more of the following signs:

• Sudden death without clinical signs;

• Lack of energy and appetite;

• Decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs;

• Swelling of head, comb, eyelid, wattles, and hocks;

• Purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs;

• Nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing;

• Incoordination; or

• Diarrhea.

Owners should report illness or unexplained death in their flocks, so that we can quickly 

test the birds, identify the infection, and prevent the spread to other flocks. It is not 

necessary to test birds for avian influenza in backyard flocks that appear healthy. 

What happens to backyard flocks infected with HPAI? Does the USDA depopulate 

flocks? Just the infected flocks or also nearby flocks?

State and Federal animal health officials depopulate infected poultry in the quickest, 

safest, most humane way possible after detecting HPAI virus in the flock.

In some circumstances, flocks that have had direct contact with and infected flock (for 

example, birds from an infected flock were introduced into another flock) are also 

depopulated. 

I love my babies and am always willing to work at keeping them safe and healthy. 

New Hampshire has a LOT of wild turkey all around our yard. My girls have an

electric-fenced yard, but I want to do better at keeping them safe. What do we do 

to avoid wild turkey from passing virus to my ladies?

Any bird can be infected with HPAI virus and spread it to other birds. Any measures you 

can take to prevent exposing your birds to wild birds and things wild birds contaminate 

will help prevent infection. Covering runs with nets, screening openings to coops, and 

double fencing are tactics to keep your birds from having beak to beak contact with their 

wild bird neighbors. 

How do I walk to the coop safely to protect my flock from wild bird feces? Do I 

need boot covers?

One of the easiest ways to prevent tracking wild bird droppings into your bird area is to 

dedicate a pair of shoes to use in that area. Place the shoes at the entrance to your bird 
area and change into them before you enter the area. When you are done taking care of 

your birds, change out of your dedicated footgear before walking away. 

Boot covers are another option, but dedicated shoes have advantages: you probably 

already have a pair of old shoes available, they are reusable, and you do not have to 

worry about disposing of dirty boot covers safely. 

We notice that backyard poultry are becoming infected with H5 HPAI. With 

migratory fowl flying overhead, the possibility of dropping infected manure 

among backyard poultry is real. Can anything be done to require backyard 

poultry be mandated to bring indoors?

During this period of heightened risk when migratory birds carrying HPAI virus are 

moving in North American flyways, USDA APHIS strongly recommends confining birds 

and other measures to prevent contact between wild birds and domestic poultry. USDA 

APHIS does not mandate specific housing practices for U.S. poultry producers. 

Do we have any idea about the viral load needed for flocks to become infected by 

H5N1? Should I be concerned with the mail truck coming into our driveway 

(inadvertently tracking something in on the tires?) 

Objects like vehicles tires can transport the virus from place to place. To reduce this 

risk, identify a perimeter buffer area for your property and a line of separation for your 

bird area. Ask visitors to park in a designated spot within the perimeter buffer area and 

do not allow them to cross your line of separation into your bird area unless necessary 

and they follow your biosecurity procedures for entry. 

Should we stop using bird feeders in our yard if we have home flocks? Should I 

ask our neighbors to take their feeders down? If so, for how long would we need 

to take them down? I read that avian influenza decreases when the temperatures 

get warmer.

Eliminating feeders and waterers for wild birds helps reduce the risk that wild birds will 

mingle with your flock and transmit HPAI virus they can carry. In general, poultry owners 

should always avoid attracting wild birds to mix with their domestic poultry, since wild 

birds can introduce numerous diseases (including HPAI) to poultry flocks. 

Do *all* wild birds pose a HPAI risk, or just ducks and similar species? Can 

hummingbirds and passerines also be infected by and transmit H5N1?

Any type of bird can be infected with and spread avian influenza virus. Dabbling ducks

(like wigeon and teal) are natural hosts for avian influenza virus and are the most 

common types of migratory wild birds that are found to carry the virus. 
I understand that a virus can mutate at any time but are there genetic 

dissimilarities between types of birds that might be protective?

Researchers have attempted genetically modify and selectively breed chickens to be 

resistant to avian influenza infection with limited success, not complete protection from 

illness. All breeds of chickens and turkeys existing today are highly susceptible to 

infection and illness caused by avian influenza viruses. Ducks are susceptible to 

infection and can transmit the virus to other birds but might not show signs of illness.

With the amount of rain and flooding currently occurring, does this increase the 

risk of HPAI as it enters the water table?

Avian influenza viruses require living hosts in order to survive and replicate. Outside of 

a host, these viruses become inactivated over time depending on factors such as 

temperature and sunlight. Researchers have discovered avian influenza virus in water 

samples collected in the field, and under experimental laboratory conditions, these 

viruses can remain infective in water for several weeks. The effect of rain and flooding 

on persistence of avian influenza virus in the environment is not well understood. 

How much of a defense does the eggshell provide as it relates to HPAI?

A hen that is infected with HPAI virus is likely to lay eggs that are contaminated with the 

virus both internally and externally. For this reason, eggs that are produced by an HPAI 

infected flock are destroyed and do not enter the food supply. 

Is it best to avoid purchasing from hatcheries in states/areas that now have a 

HPAI outbreak?

No, it is safe to purchase baby poultry from hatcheries in areas where HPAI outbreaks 

are occurring, providing the hatchery is not under quarantine and meets the State 

Veterinarian’s requirements for movement of poultry, which might include health 

certification or a movement permit. Contact the hatchery and your State Veterinarian for 

information.

I am wondering how H5N1 might be having an immediate effect on hatcheries. Is 

there any kind of assistance program from the USDA to help breeders negatively 

affected by lower sales (especially cancellations)?

We are not aware of the availability of that type of assistance program or reports of 

negative effects of the H5N1 outbreak on hatcheries. 
What about free ranging even if away from food and water sources?

Wild birds can carry HPAI virus and spread it to domestic poultry through direct (beak to 

beak) contact, or through indirect contact with surfaces that wild birds contaminate with 

feces, secretions from the eyes and nose, feathers, and nests. During this period of 

heightened risk when large numbers of wild birds carrying HPAI virus are migrating in 

North American flyways, each bird owner should assess the risk that their birds will 

come into contact with wild birds or their deposits while roaming. Keeping them inside a 

coop or covered run is one important way to reduce the risk that poultry will be exposed 

to the virus.

Salmonella

Is there an at-home test to test for salmonella in our chickens and/or eggs?

There is not an at-home test for Salmonella in poultry or in eggs. Poultry can carry 

Salmonella bacteria while looking healthy and clean and shed it from time to time. CDC 

does not recommend testing poultry or eggs to know if you can stop following 

Salmonella prevention steps. You should always practice prevention steps around 

poultry to keep yourself safe from Salmonella. 

What is the best way to clean eggs? What is the issue with using cold water to 

clean eggs, and what is the correct temperature?

Eggs with dirt and debris can be cleaned carefully with a fine sandpaper, a brush, or a 

cloth. Do not wash warm, fresh eggs because the colder water can pull germs on the 

outside of the egg into the egg. Refrigerate eggs after collection to maintain freshness 

and to slow the growth of germs. For more tips on egg safety visit 

www.cdc.gov/backyardpoultry

Just a clarification, are you recommending that folks not poach or soft boil eggs 

that have been properly collected, cleaned, and stored?

Raw and undercooked eggs may contain Salmonella bacteria that can make you sick. 

The safest way to eat eggs is to cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm. Cook 

egg dishes (like quiches) to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) or hotter to reduce 

your chance of a Salmonella infection. Use a food thermometer to check. 

Do retail establishments that sell chicks test for Salmonella before they sell them 

to the public?
To the best of our knowledge, no retail establishments test chicks for Salmonella. By 

following Best Practices, and Safe Handling procedures you will reduce your chances of 

exposure to Salmonella.

Are commercial fertilized eggs safe to buy to teach little kids about embryology?

Backyard poultry should not be kept in schools, childcare centers, or other facilities with 

children younger than 5 years of age. Children 5 years of age and older should be 

supervised when interacting with poultry or eggs and while they wash their hands 

afterward. Make sure to check your local laws before acquiring eggs and have a plan for 

where the poultry will be kept after the embryology lessons. 

Should medicated or non-medicated chick starter be used on new chicks from 

reputable breeders?

Feeding medicated chick starter to new chicks reduces the risk of severe infections with 

coccidia parasites, which commonly cause diarrhea, poor growth, and death in chicks. 

Shouldn't hemp be the best practice - bedding and feed - to support flock health?

At this time, no hemp or hemp-derived product has been approved for use in animal 

feed by the Food and Drug Administration, which is the U.S. agency responsible for 

assuring the safety of additives to animal feed. Hemp is one of many options for 

bedding that is available to poultry owners to keep their flock’s housing clean and 

comfortable. 

The Defend the Flock materials recommend cleaning and sanitizing. What 

products do you recommend for sanitizing coops? What about boots or other 

materials that chickens are not exposed to, but which may come into contact with 

coop materials.

Use a commercially available EPA-registered disinfectant according to the label on the 

product container. Choose a disinfectant that indicates on its label that the product can 

be used in farm premises and related structures and equipment. For example, a list of 

potential disinfectants to use against avian influenza virus in farm settings can be found 

here:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergency_management/downloads/ai

-virus-table.pdf.